A level, AS and GCSE qualifications

You are required to satisfy UCL's general entrance
requirements listed below as well as the specific degree programme
requirements outlined in our programme descriptions.

We may issue conditional offers based on future examination performance; unless otherwise stated, any conditions for these must be fulfilled by 31 August 2018 for applications made in the 2018 UCAS Cycle, and 31 August 2019 for applications made in the 2019 UCAS Cycle.

Depending on the degree programme, UCL makes offers in
the range A*A*A-ABB. AS levels are no longer required. The requirements for individual programmes can be found on the relevant degree page.

We do not recognise General Studies and Critical Thinking for admissions purposes.

If you wish to study at UCL you should offer a minimum of two A
level subjects from the list of preferred subjects. We are happy to
accept any subject as the third A level you offer, provided the other
two subjects appear on the approved list. If you are not able to offer
two preferred subjects, you should contact the relevant degree programme
contact to ascertain whether
you can still be considered for admission.

If you have accepted a place at UCL and subsequently
decline any of your A level results, you may render yourself
ineligible to take up a place on a degree programme or, if you have
already enrolled, liable to be deregistered from UCL.

UK Curriculum reform

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland reforms to AS and A levels and GCSEs began in September 2015, with different subjects being phased in over the subsequent two years. For universities one of the key challenges that we will have is the mixture of qualifications that an applicant may present. Not only will the constituent countries of the UK be providing different styles of existing qualifications, but as subjects are phased in we will see applicants offering a mixture of both old and new style GCSEs and A levels. We will look at each applicant on an individual basis, but the reference will be key in explaining the teaching within the school to the admissions selector. We would also ask that referees provide a clear explanation of any restrictions or difficulties they have faced in terms of funding and subject availability, along with an explanation of the styles of GCSE/A levels that have been taken.

Predictions and AS modules

With the introduction of curriculum reforms we understand that it will be more difficult for teachers to predict final grades in the initial year of study. In the past, AS modules have been useful as an indication of a student's level of achievement and likelihood to achieve their prediction. As this information will no longer be available we will be more reliant on applicants' past academic history and references. We would also encourage referees to comment on an applicant's level of achievement in the end of year 12 examinations where these have been held, and also provide a picture of the applicant's progress through both GCSE and A level study.

Core Mathematics

Core Mathematics programmes
are designed for students who have achieved a grade A*-C in GCSE, who are not
taking the subject to AS or A level but who wish to continue studying
Mathematics beyond GCSE level. Whilst the qualification does not form part of
our standard entrance requirements, UCL welcomes the opportunity for students
to be able to continue their mathematics studies. For programmes where GCSE
Mathematics is required at grade B, Core Mathematics will be accepted as a
supplement to grade C at GCSE.

A level Practical Science Component

From summer 2017, Biology, Chemistry and Physics A levels taken in England will comprise both an overall mark and a separate practical mark. The practical component wil be marked pass/fail with students passing if they show proficiency in twelve different practical skills. All applicants offering one of these three science subjects will be required to achieve both the overall grade and a pass in the practical component. Self-studying students who are unable to take the practical science component must provide reasons for this in the personal statement and will be considered on an individual basis.

Extended Project

Although the Extended
Project Qualification does not form part of our standard entrance requirements,
UCL continues to recognise its value as preparation for independent study,
which is key to university-level study.

All
programmes require GCSE or equivalent passes in English Language and
Mathematics at grade C or higher. Some programmes require grades higher
than C or additional GCSE passes in specific subjects, as outlined on individual degree pages.

For the new GCSE, which will be given a numerical grade between 1 and 9, UCL will consider 8 to be equivalent to A*, 7 to A, 6 to B and 5 to C.

Qualifications accepted as GCSE equivalents include the following:

IGCSE at grade C or higher;

O level at grade C or higher;

Scottish Credit Standard Grade/Intermediate 2;

Hong Kong Certificate of Education (HKCEE) at grade C or higher;

IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) at grades 4 to 7;

Malaysia Sijil Pelejaran (SPM) at grades 1 to 6;

Singapore/Cambridge GCE Ordinary level at grades 1 to 6.

GCSE foreign language requirement

UCL
encourages intercultural awareness in all its students, and considers
experience of learning a foreign language a vital element of a broad and
balanced education. We wish to ensure that all of our graduates have
had some experience of exploring another culture through language - but
we are concerned to ensure that our admissions requirements do not
disadvantage those who did not undertake language study to GCSE or above
at school.

UK students who do not have a GCSE grade C or equivalent in a
foreign language (other than Ancient Greek, Biblical Hebrew or Latin)
on admission to UCL will be required to acquire an equivalent level of
language proficiency once they are enrolled with us. For further information please see the UCL Centre for Languages and Internation Education (CLIE) website.

Mix of qualifications

We understand that it is
becoming more common for applicants to offer combinations of qualifications,
such as A levels and Cambridge Pre-U, or A levels and BTECs at level 3. Our
qualification requirements are set to ensure that individuals are suitably
prepared for the rigour of study at UCL, so we would usually be looking for an
applicant to offer all their qualifications from one suite, such as three A
levels, or an IB Diploma. However, some departments may be willing to consider
a mix of the qualifications that UCL usually looks for. Each case would be
considered on an individual basis, in conjunction with an explanation from the
referee, and we would be looking to see that an applicant had obtained the
breadth and depth of knowledge in their chosen subjects to succeed at UCL.

Some
schools, both in the UK and overseas, fast track their students and
limit the number of examinations they take. As a result, you may not be
sitting some GCSE or equivalent qualifications. We will be pleased to
consider your application on its individual merits.